Opening 17 Apr 2008
Directed by:
Özgür Yildirim
Writing credits:
Özgür Yildirim
Principal actors:
Denis Moschitto, Moritz Bleibtreu, Volkan Özcan, Fahri Yardim, Reyhan Sahin
Being born in an underprivileged district in Hamburg in 1979 gave director Özgur Yildirim a realistic insight to the hard facts of street life. Since writing his first book at age 14 and completing several short films, Yildrim has completed one of his dreams: a feature film. Fatih Akin was immediately intrigued by this script after reading it and signed on as the producer. At the press conference Yildirim, who had seen a lot of old gangster films, said the script was easy to write since he copied the language that he heard on the streets.
In the film, Yildirim gives us two very different faces: one is Chiko (Denis Moschitto), who is young and intelligent and wants respect, which will bring him money and power. His plan is simple, gain the trust of the top dog Brownie (Mortitz Bleibtreu) and respect is granted. Unfortunately, Chiko’s best friend Tibet (Volcan Özcan), a former drug user, wants money but is an unstable character and takes short cuts. He lacks the understanding for the business world, which comes naturally to Chiko. Brownie warns Chiko that Tibet will bring him down but what can he do? They are like brothers.
The most difficult role in this film starred Reyhan
“Lady Bitch Ray” Sahin who plays a Turkish prostitute. She is a well-known rap singer and when asked to do this film she had to think twice about it. “When you do a film like this coming from a Turkish background, you will be stigmatized in the Turkish community and in the German community.” She knew that she would be breaking down walls for Turkish women’s roles so they have a chance to develop themselves. This is film is a fast-paced, violent gangster film that makes you realize once you get home that there are no police in this film, but did you miss them? This film definitely gives you a different face of Hamburg, probably one you did even knew existed. (Shelly Schoeneshoefer)
